People who absolutely should not take fish oil supplements.

Fish oil is a very good source of omega-3 fatty acids, but it's not suitable for everyone. Improper omega-3 supplementation can lead to toxicity and be life-threatening.

Gastrointestinal diseases

People with stomach pain or digestive problems should not use it. Our digestive system is not capable of absorbing excessive amounts of fish oil when supplemented into the body. When not digested, fish oil releases gas, causing bloating, flatulence, and severe abdominal pain and discomfort.

For young children

Parents are advised against overusing fish oil for infants, toddlers, and even those under 15 years old. While the DHA content in fish oil is beneficial for children's development, EPA can be harmful to their organs. There are many ways to supplement DHA, but there are no effective methods to counteract the effects of EPA, so it's best not to give fish oil to children at all.

People with mental disorders

People with neurological conditions such as bipolar disorder or depression should not use fish oil because it can worsen their condition.

Fish oil, omega-3

Pregnant and breastfeeding women

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not supplement with crude fish oil. This is because heavy metals and contaminants in fish oil can affect the health of both the fetus and the mother. Due to the anticoagulant properties of Omega-3s, the risk of uterine bleeding is very high in women who supplement with fish oil.

People with allergies

Fish oil, like other vitamin supplements, can also cause allergies. People with high sensitivity levels tend to experience some type of allergic reaction when taking this vitamin supplement, such as: itching and acne, rashes and redness of the skin, sore throat, nausea, headache, difficulty breathing, etc.

People with prostate problems

While most studies show that fish oil supplements have few or no side effects, recent evidence in prostate cancer research published in 2013 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests a link between fish oil and prostate cancer.

The risk of prostate cancer is increased in men with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. This finding suggests that these fatty acids are linked to the development of prostate tumors.

Notes on storing fish oil

The properties of fish oil, including vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, are generally lost under certain conditions. Sunlight is the primary factor that causes fish oil products for children to spoil and become ineffective.

Alternatively, storing fish oil in a humid environment can cause food supplements to spoil. Humidity softens the capsule's coating, leading to a loss of nutrients over time.

Even if many mothers are overly cautious and store children's fish oil in the freezer or refrigerator at very low temperatures, it's not good because fish oil shouldn't be stored in places that are too hot or too cold. Either condition will cause the fish oil to spoil and lose its nutritional benefits.

Therefore, for best preservation, store the oil at average temperatures and avoid direct sunlight.

When opening a fish oil container, make sure to close the lid tightly. When buying, you should choose fish oil products with opaque containers (containers where you can't see inside, or if you can see inside, the plastic should be dark, not transparent white). This type of container helps preserve the fish oil best.

According to vietnamnet